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Significant flooding likely as Orange alert issued for three counties

Updated / Thursday, 13 Nov 2025 22:05
A number of weather warnings have been issued for tomorrow and Saturday.
A number of weather warnings have been issued for tomorrow and Saturday.

Significant flooding and hazardous travelling conditions are expected as Met Éireann issues a Status Orange rain warning for three counties tomorrow.

The warning will be in effect for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow from 2pm tomorrow until 11am on Saturday.

Meteorologist with Met Éireann, Gerry Murphy, said that the "heaviest rain" of the past few days will arrive tomorrow.

"The thing about tomorrow's rain it is going to move very slowly, which means that the rainfall accumulations will be high as it moves slowly up over the country."

Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, he explained that there is a deep depression in the Atlantic to the west of the Bay of Biscay.

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"That (depression) has been named Storm Claudia by the Spanish meteorological service - it was named over the weekend."

He added that Storm Claudia is "not going to come near us" but added that it is "feeding up very significant weather systems over us".

Mr Murphy told people to expect a wet day tomorrow, especially over Munster and Leinster.

"The rainfall will feed in from the south and the east, and that will mean that eastern coastal counties in particular, especially Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, will get some very heavy falls of rain, and we have these under an Orange rainfall warning."

Met Éireann said that there will be significant rainfall accumulations, especially on high ground and exposed areas.

Mr Murphy warned that there will be surface flooding, high river levels, which could cause flooding and intense levels of rainfall on higher ground like mountainous regions such as the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

The Orange rain warning is one of a number of warnings issued by the forecaster, with heavy rain forecast in many parts of the country.

He added that much of Munster and east Lenister were under a Yellow rainfall warning.

"As well as that, we do have a Yellow level wind warning in operation for eastern coastal counties of Leinster, so it is going to be a windy day as well."

The winds will not be damaging but will add to the hazardous conditions overall, he said.

A Status Yellow wind warning will also be in effect for Dublin, Louth, Wexford and Wicklow from 12pm tomorrow until 4am on Saturday, with strong and gusty northeasterly winds forecast.

Two separate Status Yellow rain warnings have been issued for 13 counties.

The first comes into effect at 9am tomorrow and covers Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and will be in operation until 9am on Saturday.

The second will be in operation from 11am tomorrow until 11am on Saturday for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

Met Éireann is warning of heavy and persistent rain on already saturated ground, leading to difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility and possible flooding.

In the UK, an amber weather warning has been issued for tomorrow, with up to 80mm of rain expected.

Flooding is likely during heavy downpours brought by Storm Claudia, which was named by the Spanish meteorological service, the Met Office said.

The warning is in place from noon until the end of the day and covers parts of Wales, the Midlands, South West, South East and East of England.

Significant risk of flooding in all areas

The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) held a meeting with all local authorities this evening.

It said following the warnings from Met Éireann, planning and preparations are underway by all relevant Government departments, State agencies and utility providers.

The NDFEM said there is a significant risk of flooding in all areas, but particularly in south and east Leinster and across Munster.

Tom Byrne from the Irish Farmers Association in Wicklow said some farmers in the county should move their animals back from river basins.

He told RTÉ's Drivetime that flooding was expected along the Avonmore River in west Wicklow which would continue on into the River Slaney in Wexford.

"With the length of time the rain is going to last, it will be really significant," he said.

David Martin, senior public relations manager with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said motorists should be careful near high sided vehicles which can cause a lot of spray on motorways.

The RSA is advising road users in the East and South of the country to take extra care.

"If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Don't attempt to drive through it. These flooded roads, they can appear shallow but they are much deeper than you think, and you're going to end up with a whole world of pain if you're trying to go through it."

Fingal County Council said preparations are already underway in advance of the warnings.

"Jetting of surface water lines and gullies has been happening on an ongoing basis and crews have been clearing leaves over the last number of weeks which will help to alleviate some problems. Additional crews are on call and will be mobilised when required," it said in a statement.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) met ahead of the Orange weather warning to coordinate preparations for tomorrow.

It said conditions were being monitored closely to ensure all necessary measures are in place.

"The Surface Water Operations crews are actively inspecting all major watercourses and removing any large debris or items that could pose a flood risk.

"They are also clearing approximately 40 river debris screens across the county and ensuring tidal outfalls from watercourses remain unobstructed."

Additional reporting Eleanor Burnhill

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